Torpedo exploding mechanism



April 2, 1946.

TORPEDO EXPLODING MECHANISM Filed May'Q, 1952 Patented Apr. 2, -1946 UNITED STATES PATENT Fries 6 Claims.

This invention relates to torpedo exploding mechanism, andymore particularly to an exploding mechanism which, upon passing through a magnetic field of varying intensity, functions to explode the torpedo.

Torpedoes now in general use are adapted to explode on impact with the outer surface of a target. Capital ships are at these surfaces protected against such attacks. If the torpedo could be caused to explode directly under the ship, greater damage would be done than otherwise as at thispoint it is not as well protected. Furthermore, there would be the additional advantage of bringing into effect both the detonating and pressure waves and make it practically impossible to shield the ship from such an explosion. Also, if a torpedo could be caused to explode by passing in the vicinity of a ship, the size of the target would be increased both as to depth and Width and correspondingly increase the chances of making hits.

This invention is based upon the utilization of energy from any magnetic field, including the earths field, i. e., the device is caused to funcy tion when a change of intensity or direction of field results from the presence of a foreign body or a similar magnetic disturbance. This energy is picked up by a coil with a highly permeable core and is used to reduce the bias on a vacuum tube to such a value as to allow current to flow in a solenoid in its plate circuit, which solenoid through appropriate mechanism causes the torpedo to be exploded.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a torpedo firing mechanism that will function without the torpedo coming into direct contact with a target.

Another object is to provide a torpedo firing device which will be reliable and eicient in use and operation.

A further object is to provide a torpedo firing device of such character as will be safe to handle and which will not assume an armed position until a predetermined distance from the ring point has been reached.

A further object is to provide a torpedo iiring device which will cause the torpedo to re at the most vulnerable part of the target.

A further object is to provide a torpedo firing device which can be used in conjunction with impact firing apparatus, used on torpedoes at the present time, without impairing the efficiency ofNIV u the same.

A further object is to provide a torpedo firing device which is self-contained and can be given independent periodical tests to assure its workable condition.

With the above and other objects in View, this invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more fully described hereinafter, in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic View of the arrangement of the apparatus of this invention as assembled in the body of a torpedo;

Fig. 2 shows a method of acquiring power for the apparatus of this invention;

Fig. 3A is a wiring diagram showing the electrical circuits employed in this invention;

Fig. 4 is a detail side elevational view of theL elements immediately associated with the ring mechanism.

Referring now to Fig. 1, I 0 denotes the base that forms an integral part of the torpedo in addition to carrying the completely assembled torpedo firing device. Its outer surface is made to conform to the contour of the torpedo so that it will not increase the normal resistance to the travel of the torpedo through the water. Upon this base, by suitable lugs, is mounted pick-up coil II of a very large number of turns of wire with its core l2 of a highly permeable substance such as permalloy. Cast in the under side of the base plate lIl is a channel i3 that permits the water flowing through it to act on the impeller or water wheel I4, housed therein. Impeller it through shaft I5 drives generator I6 which supplies the electrical energy for the circuits comprising a high current capacity triode I'I, voltage control tube I8, potential divider I9 and solenoid 2D, as will be described more fully hereinafter. The solenoid 20, when energized, operates the exploder (not shown) through latch 2|, pawl 22, lever 23 and ratchet wheel 24.

After launching and as the torpedo is propelled through the water, there is created a flow of water through channel I3, causing the rotation of impeller I4 that, through shaft I5, drives generator I6. The shunt field 25 is such that the generator quickly builds up to its operating potenpotential output constant, regardless of the speed of rotation of the impeller.

The generator I6 is provided with tWo armaltures 2l and 28. Armature 21 supplies grid and plate potential for, and armature 28 lights the 5 filament of, tube I1. The time required to heat the filament, together with the releasing of the exploder locking device (not shown), affords the necessary delay to prevent premature exploding. The positive lead of armature 2l goes to the plate` and lthe negative lead to the grid of tube Il.

The potential divider Il is across the terminals of armature 21. and the filament of tube I1 is connected to the potential divider Il by variable connection I9. It is clear that this causes the filament to assume a higher potential than the change in the potential of amature 21 which increases the plate potential on the tube, will likewise increase the bias. and vice versa. It is evident that such an arrangement permits a bias adjustment very near the blocking point of the tube, so that a small potential in the pick-up coil will cause current to ilow in the plate circuit and at the same time without danger that such plate current will be caused toilow due to variations in the supply of plate potential.

The method of operating the exploder is as follows: Shaft 29 is geared to the generator shaft I 5 and drives the ratchet wheel 24 as indicated by the arrow. The armature I0, when solenoid is de-energized, rests against latch 2I and, when solenoid 20 isenergized, moves in the direction shown by the arrow, and through latch 2i and pivoted piece II forces pawl 22 into engagement with ratchet wheel 24 that, by its rotation, causes lever to rotate about its pivot as shown by the arrow, thereby tripping the exploder mechanism (not shown).

The hrst tests of this invention were made in a torpedo with a bronze head. upon the theory that a steel head would shield the pick-up coil so much that a suilcieni'.- voltage could not be induced in the coil to cause the apparatus to function. However, alter an improved arrangement had been arrived at, the apparatus was found to function perfectly within a steel head. As explained before, coil il must have a large number of turns of wire and its core must be highly permeable. lt is evident that the amount of potential induced in the pics-up coil when passing under a ship depend upon the speed of the torpedo, and hence, the speed must be maintained for the apparatus to function properly.

It will be understood that the above description and accompanying drawing comprehend only the general and preferred embodiment of my invention, and that various changes in construction, proportion and arrangement of parts may be made within the scope of the appended claims Without sacriicing any of the advantages of this invention.

l! claim:

l. A tomedo exploding device comprising a thermionic tube having a cathode, an anode and a control electrode, means for energizing said cathode, means for maintaining a difference of potential between said cathode and said anode, means for normally maintaining said control electrede at such a potential with respect to the poteny tial o' the cathode and anode that relatively little current ows in the anode circuit ot said tube, a pick-up coil in the control electrode circuit of said tube responsive to a change of intensity or direction of the magnetic held due to the proximity ot a paramagnetic im fr to cause a relatively large asoman flow ot current in the anode circuit, and current responsive means in said anode circuit for exploding said torpedo.

2. A. torpedo 'exploding device comprising a high current capacity triode, a generator consistingpi a iirst and second armature, said first armature being connected to supply current to heat the cathode of said triode, andthe current from qsaid second armature being adapted to connect across the grid and anode o1' said triode, a potential divider connected across the terminals`oi' said second armature, variable contact means electrically connecting said cathode to said potential divider and adapted to adjust the grid bias on said triode, a pick-up coil responsive to a magnetic ileld due to the proximity of a paramagnetic body associated with the grid of said triode, and a solenoid in the plate circuit of said triode adapted to be energized when a potential' is induced in said pick-up coil.

3. A torpedo exploding device comprising a high current capacity triode, a generator having a shunt field winding adapted to heat the cathode and supply potential to the grid and anode of said triode, an impeller so installed as to be acted upon by the flow of liquid through a channel when the torpedo is moving through a medium of said liquid, a gas tube in series with an opposed ileld winding for said generator and adapted to maintain the potential of said generator approximately constant regardless oi' the speed at which the torpedo moves through said medium, a pick-up coil associated with the grid of said triode, and a solenoid in the plate circuit of said triode adapted to be energized when a potential is induced in said pick-up coil thereby causing the torpedo to explode.

4. A torpedo exploding device comprising a high current capacity triode, a generator adapted to heat the cathode and supply potential to the grid and anode of said triode, an impeller so installed as to be acted upon by the flow of liquid through a channel when the torpedo is moving through a medium of said liquid and adapted to rotate said generator, a pick-up coil associated with the grid of said triode, and a solenoid in the plate circuit of said triode adapted to beenergized when a potential is induced in said pick-up coil thereby causing the torpedo to explode.

5. A torpedo exploding device comprising a ratchet Wheel, means for rotating said ratchet wheel, a lever, a pawl pivoted at one end of said lever, a latch associated with one end of said pawl the other end being adapted to engage said ratchet wheel, a solenoid, a. core for said solenoid associated with said latch and adapted through said latch to force said pawl into engagement with said ratchet wheel when said solenoid is energized, thereby turning said lever about its pivot whereby its other end causes the torpedo to explode.

6. A torpedo exploding device comprising a high current capacity triode, a generator adapted to heat the cathode and supply potential to the @5f/grid and anode of said triode, a pick-up coil responsive to a magnetic ileld due to the proximity of a paramagnetic body associated with the grid of said triode, and a solenoid in the plate circuit of said triode adapted to be energized when a potential is induced in said pick-up coil thereby causing the torpedo to explode. 

